http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/2012/02/old-florida-meets-old-world-at-chalet.html

Route 50. Winter Garden FL

Mod Betty & Retro Roadhusband are headed south! Expect some fun snapshots of vintage and retro Florida!

But since I consider them both great resources for cool vintage restaurants and food places, I made sure that Retro Roadhusband and I would stop at this roadside restaurant during one of our many jaunts through Connecticut.

We parked in the ample parking lot and hurried out of the cold into the warm, simple brick building. The place was bustling, with booths filled, people waiting for takeout orders near the freezers filled with gallons of homemade ice-cream Luckily we found a pair of swivel stools at the counter and sat  between a mom and her toddler and a lone businessman.

A throwback to an earlier era of dining, the interior of the Shady Glen reminded me of somplace my grandmother would take us for lunch. Formica topped tables and counters, grillmen wearing white paper hats and bowties, and no menus to be handed, rather the offerings are posted on the wall. We knew what we wanted however – so when the white-uniformed waitress came over and gave us each a small glass of water (remember when every place used to do that?) we were ready for her.

Not realizing until we arrived at the restaurant that they also were famous for their homemade ice cream, we divided up our eating so we could taste a bit of everything.

Retro Roadhusband got their famous cheeseburger – the Bernice Original! Invented in 1949, this distinctive burger is made with FOUR slices of cheese, each one only covering a quarter of the patty. The cheese is a special blend that has been designed to work perfectly with this method of cooking, so it stays together and doesn’t burn. The grillfolks at the Shady Glen are all trained to make this creation, and they comprise upwards of 80% of the menu items ordered.

I mean, who could resist this? Even just for science’s sake?

I, on the other hand, opted for the “Cheesefurter” – not only for it’s more diminutive size (saving room for ice cream) but also who can resist a silly name like that? I love how the words frankfurter, and even better, frankfort, are often used in New England, instead of the simple Hot Dog.

My cheesefurter arrived on wings of cheese, just like the burger, and we were offered a condiment caddy filled with relish, mustard and onions to dress our sandwiches as we saw fit. (Not pictured, crinkle cut fries, for the win!)

The cheese wings were kinda soft, kinda crunchy and definitely an unique accompaniment! I happily ate my split dog (that’s the way they do ‘em here in CT) and was glad to find that, even with all the fries, I still did have some room for an ice cream sundae!

This was a small or kid size sundae and was just delicious! The hot fudge and rich ice cream made a perfect pair.

So if you like your dairy in the salty extra cheesy style or the cold and creamy style, check out the Shady Glen!

Shady Glen Dairy Bar Restaurant
840 East Middle Turnpike
Manchester CT 06040
860-649-4245

View CT – Connecticut Retro RoadMAP in a larger map

But even the old hand that I am, I was positively FLOORED when I saw the NiMo Building in Syracuse NY:

(Thanks so so much to Retro Roadpal TikiSoo  for showing us this gem!)

While the Chrysler building in New York City may get most of the glory for being the most well recognized deco building around, I will say that nothing, absolutely nothing compares to the sunset, laden with autumn orangey goodness, working its magic on the planes and surfaces of this building. I practically leaped out of the car and began snapping photos, and wasn’t the only person there with a camera. With every inch that the sun set, another shadow was cast, making it even more beautiful.

So while we’re envisioning the sun, glowingly highlighting this downtown delight, here is some background on this landmark building.

The building – originally known as the Niagara Hudson building was completed in 1932, and was home to the nation’s largest electric utility company.

From SyracuseThenandNow.org:

Its ornamentation is, to say the least, opulent. In Syracuse Landmarks, Evamaria Hardin says, “The structural steel frame of the Niagara Mohawk Building is arranged in setbacks, is sheathed smoothly in aluminum, black glass and stainless steel combined with gray brick and polished stone, and is ornamented with chevrons, parallel bands, and zigzags.”

Later renamed the Niagara Mohawk building, it is now owned by National Grid, but still retains the Niagara Mohawk name:

And, if you’re looking for the building in or on the National Register of Historic Places, you’ll see it referred to as the Niagara Hudson Building. The building was added to the Register in 2010, and this Flickr link shows some great interior shots and archival footage of the building from the National Register’s photostream of the building.

One of the most striking features of the building is the sculpture that hovers (or looms, depending upon the lighting) above the entrance.

(Crazy how the reflections of the sunn, just below his left wing, look like waves of electricity!)

With a height of more than 28 feet, this creature/man is known both as the “Spirit of Energy” or the “Spirit of Light.” Click here to see progressive close-up views of this winged symbol (photos by David Bridges)

Speaking of light- it’s interesting to point out that the building’s deco exterior was lit up at night (being the home of an electricity provider this makes sense) but the building was darkened for blackouts and the lights removed during World War 2. The lights would remain off exterior for 50+ years, until the building was renovated in 1999. At that point, new exterior lighting was installed, with the lighting scheme created by Howard Brandston, who had also worked with the relighting of the Statue of Liberty.

I was so excited when we had the opportunity to drive back past the Nimo Building when it was all lit up. I think I could get my beach chair and just sit across the street and watch this building reflect the sunset, and go from absorbing the sun’s rays to emitting glorious light rays of its own.

When referring to the building, Howard Brandston described the NiMo building as the most spectacular example of art deco architecture he’d ever seen, and I have to say, I agree! Make sure you check it out for yourself next time you’re in Syracuse!

The NiMo Building (Niagara Mohawk / Niagara Hudson )
300 Erie Boulevard W
Syracuse, NY 13204

View NY – New York State Retro RoadMAP in a larger map

Well, that’s how I’m feeling at the moment with the backload of cool old vintage retro and fun places to share with you, dear readers! We’ve crammed a lot of travel into the past few months, and I just don’t even know where to start. Will you help me?

Please let me know which of these to write about, so I can start climbing that mountain!

Do you want to learn where to dine on German food, surrounded by knotty pine?

OR where to get breakfast at the counter?

OR where this gorgeous art deco delight is?

Or find out where this homage to Bill Cosby is located?

Maybe you’d like to know where to get a delicious sandwich and one of these tasty drinks?

Or where to gaze at this delightfully decorated plaster ceiling while buying some of the most delicious candies ever?

or get a cheeseburger like THIS!

And that’s not even the half of it!

It’s a wonderful thing to know that there are so many neat places out there that I’ve been able to visit within the past few months, but that doesn’t help you learn about them until I post’em!

So, reader’s choice – what goes first?

Thanks! xo Mod Betty

Now this has been the 2nd time in the past week that I’ve heard the (new to me) term Aloha Shirt to describe the tropical pattered tiki or Hawaiian shirts that I’m familiar with. The first time was of course when I told you all about the lecture being given this upcoming weekend at the Hula Hula Floridiana show.: “The Culture of Aloha Shirts” with Dr. Gary Moss

It’s quite the tiki week for us now that I think about it, as we just had a lovely evening in historic Bethlehem, PA chatting with FB pal Andy Panda of A. Panda’s Tiki Lounge!

Though it was a cold rainy night in Pennsylvania, we imagined that the beers in our hands were mai-tais and we were lounging at the Levitt Pavillion listening to the exotic melodies of Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica – a rare upcoming tiki inspired event happening here in the Keystone State on Sunday May 27th!

So while it’s grey and cold on the outside, if you look closely you can find some sunshine to help you make it through the winter!

(That little map had me stymied for miles! Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa?, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and I confess, I had to look up a few – eek!)

I felt it was only right to share this with you, dear readers, as I’m just lil ol me, and have my weaknesses just like everyone. Even when it’s related to something so important to me – like MAPS!

But yes, Elementary school friends and I joke about spending almost an entire year learning about the Revolutionary War and no time on the states outside of New England, as Geography was replaced with Social Studies.

I’m mortified when I can’t immediately see a map in my head when someone mentions a state, but I think it’s also why I’m so committed to Retro Roadmap. After each Retro Roadtrip I realize I have my own memories of these states, and can picture us driving through them. AND I hope that these cool old places we tell you about will help you put these states on the map in your mind.

Now all I have to do is get through all 48 and then all 50!